Although I observed as many as eight Great Egrets (Ardea alba) foraging at the same time in my local marshland park this weekend, they were mostly in the distance, but I came up one that was closer and got these shots as it was taking off.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology notes that these birds have “impressive wingspans,” and I was really treated to a display of those wings. The wings were spread so wide, in fact, that I couldn’t fit them entirely in the frame in the first photo. The impressive set of wings in the second photo remind me of those were associated with Pegasus, the mythological winged horse.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Even with a clipped wing it’s a beautiful bird.
Thanks. There’s a real elegance to this bird (although the brilliant white gives me fits in trying to determine the correct exposure).
I know what you mean-I usually under expose white and yellow just to be safe.
That is an impressive bird. I need to see it live some day.
Nice take off shot!